5 Scarborough students charged with harassment or assault

SCARBOROUGH — Five Scarborough High School students were charged with harassment or assault last week for incidents that occurred during and after school.

“This is something we’re not very happy with,” High School Principal Dean Auriemma said Thursday. “We’re working with parents and the individuals to try to hold them accountable.”

According to police reports, on Nov. 29 a 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were issued summonses for harassment after three girls reported the pair had allegedly harassed them in school, taken pictures of them with a cell phone on the bus and made inappropriate hand gestures to them. The pair had already received cease harassment and criminal trespass notices for previous incidents.

Then, on Nov. 30, a 16-year-old girl allegedly walked into her ex-boyfriend’s classroom, where he was sitting in class, and punched the boy in the face. She then allegedly backed the 17-year-old boy up against a corner and punched him multiple times. A teacher allegedly witnessed the attack. The girl was issued a summons on a charge of assault.

On Dec. 1, a 15-year-old girl allegedly approached a 14-year-old girl in the hallway of the high school and yelled at her, accusing her of lying and spreading rumors. The 15-year-old then allegedly punched the younger girl in the left cheek. The fight was reportedly broken up by teachers who escorted the girls to the principal’s office. The 15-year-old was issued a summons on a charge of assault.

Then, on Dec. 2, a 15-year-old boy allegedly jumped on a 14-year-old boy’s back in the hallway of the high school and started throwing punches. The older boy allegedly punched the younger boy in the head and back. The victim was transported to the hospital and was treated for a concussion. The following day, the 15-year-old was issued a summons on a charge of assault.

Auriemma said the incidents are not connected in any way, except that all the students involved were Scarborough High School students.

“We have some students making some bad choices, but they’re our students. We want them to come back and be productive,” he said. “We want an overall climate of safety here.”